Clarity

I like some clarity in direction. I like to know where I’m going. If I’m driving to a new destination and someone is next to me giving directions, I don’t want to get them one piece at a time. I want the whole route spelled out in advance. That’s just me.

Following Christ doesn’t always have that kind of clarity. It is particularly nerve-wracking for someone in leadership to feel a bit lost while following Jesus.

I guess that is how St. Paul must have felt in Acts 16. I have been wrestling with this text for Sunday and I’m impressed how Paul wanted to go in one direction, but “the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t allow this.” (Acts 16:7b) It must have been quite disappointing.

Then, God took Paul and his mission team in a totally new direction. Paul had a vision in the night and a man from Macedonia was asking for help. Paul and his companions left the next day, but it seems they weren’t even sure where in Macedonia they were going. They did get where they were going and God blessed them on the journey.

What is more important than a clear destination, is knowing Who is traveling with me. He puts me in the right place at the right time. If I had clarity all the time, I guess I wouldn’t need faith.